[Life] Enterovirus Epidemic Continues to Rise Slowly; CDC Estimates Peak in Late June, Below Epidemic Threshold

The domestic enterovirus epidemic is in its peak season. Zeng Shu-hui, spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), stated today (21st) that after the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the epidemic is expected to continue to rise slowly, possibly reaching its peak by the end of June, but it will not exceed the epidemic threshold of 12,000 outpatient visits per week. She also specifically reminded that the symptoms of enterovirus D68 are atypical, mainly characterized by fever, runny nose, and cough, urging parents to pay close attention to signs of severe illness. The domestic enterovirus epidemic is slowly rising. According to CDC monitoring data, there were 5,824 outpatient and emergency visits last week, a slight increase of 2.4% compared to the previous week. Additionally, there have been 5 cumulative cases of severe enterovirus infection this year, including 1 death. The severe cases include 3 cases of enterovirus D68, and one each of Coxsackievirus A4 and Coxsackievirus A16. Taiwan's enterovirus epidemic is facing pressure from both domestic and international factors. In addition to the continuous rise in domestic cases, enterovirus epidemics in neighboring countries are also increasing. Vietnam, China, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong have all seen rapid increases in recent epidemics. Vietnam's epidemic is particularly severe, with over 34,400 cumulative cases as of April this year, mainly caused by enterovirus 71, which is prone to causing severe illness. China has reported over 280,000 cumulative cases as of May this year, and Thailand has reported over 13,000 cumulative cases to date. South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong have entered their seasonal epidemic periods. Zeng Shu-hui, spokesperson for the CDC, stated in an interview with Radio Taiwan International (RTI) on the 21st that the enterovirus epidemic is expected to continue to rise slowly after the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. However, the scale of this year's epidemic is smaller than last year's. Based on the current upward trend, the epidemic may peak at the end of June or before the summer vacation, but it will not exceed the epidemic threshold, meaning weekly outpatient visits will not exceed 12,000. She said: "(Original sound) It does look like a slow rise in the past few weeks. Compared to last year, this year's epidemic is more moderate. However, since it is still the enterovirus season, it will likely continue to rise slowly before the summer vacation. But we expect that this year it will be less likely to exceed the epidemic threshold, at least before the end of June or early July, it is unlikely to exceed the epidemic threshold." There have been 3 cumulative cases of severe enterovirus D68 infection domestically this year. Zeng Shu-hui emphasized that the risk of severe complications from enterovirus D68 is second only to enterovirus 71. Because the symptoms of D68 are mainly fever, runny nose, and cough, which differ from the typical symptoms of herpangina or hand, foot, and mouth disease commonly seen with enteroviruses, parents may initially mistake it for a cold or other respiratory illness. A small number of patients may develop severe conditions such as pneumonia, encephalitis, or acute flaccid paralysis. Zeng Shu-hui reminded that infants and young children under 5 years old are at high risk for severe enterovirus infection. If any signs of severe enterovirus infection are observed in young children, such as drowsiness, confusion, poor vitality, limb weakness, myoclonus, persistent vomiting, rapid breathing, or rapid heartbeat, they must be taken to a major hospital for treatment immediately. (Editor: Song Wanyuan)